Speculative Fiction Stars Are Trying to Save Indie Bookstores—Here’s How You Can Help

There’s never been a better time to watch some of your favorite authors and thinkers in conversation, with all proceeds going to the best of bookish causes—helping independent bookstores and booksellers.

Bookstores aren’t just shops—they’re the beating heart of the literary community. They’re where we all gather, and where people discover new authors and new worlds. They’re petting zoos for stories, where you get to take some of them home with you. If we lose our bookstores, we are truly screwed for good.

Hear, hear. On behalf of everyone who was raised by bookstores, I know I want to do my part. So how do we get involved?

Anders and other intrepid booklovers have organized a series of fundraising events that you can attend virtually. It’s a win-win scenario: you get to see literary and scientific luminaries in action, and help independent bookstores in the process!

The first two events are scheduled for April 8th and April 15th, 2020. April 8th will feature a conversation between bestselling authors and Star Trek: Picard writers Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman(Chabon also served as Picard’s showrunner). On April 15th, you can virtually attend a conversation between esteemed science journalists Carl Zimmer and Apoorva Mandavilli.

The events (with more to come) will take place on Zoom, and you can sign up on Eventbrite right now: Chabon and Waldman to support Pegasus Books | Zimmer and Mandavilli to support Green Apple Books. You can donate between $0-100 for a ticket to attend these exciting talks, but keep in mind every penny given is a penny that goes to a most worthy bookstore.